There are some changes that have occurred to the way we view certain jobs, plant and machinery, which now require changes to licensing.
 
The National Standard for Licensing Persons Performing High Risk Work 2006 (the new National Standard) is was introduced across all Australian States and Territories. The new National Standard introduces a number of changes that aim to make the training, assessment and licensing of high risk work consistent across Australia. These changes aim to make workplaces where high risk work is performed safer.

What are the changes and how will they make high risk work safer?
New licences
There is a new type of licence for people who perform high risk work - a small plastic card with photo identification, similar to a driver’s licence. This will be consistent across Australia. The photo identification aims to reduce the incidence of fraudulent use of licences by people who are not qualified to perform high risk work.

Unlike the Certificate of Competency, this new High Risk Work Licence will require renewal every five years. The licence holder will need to provide evidence that they have maintained their skills and are still competent to perform high risk work. This will provide greater confidence for people who work with a licence holder (or who employ a licence holder) that operators of this type of equipment have maintained their skills and can still safely perform the high risk work that their licence qualifies them to do.  

A person must be aged 18 years or older to obtain the new High Risk Work Licence, which will be valid across all Australian States and Territories.

Changes for Registered Assessors
The most important changes for Registered Assessors are that they need to work for, or be affiliated with, a Registered Training Organisation (RTO).  RTOs and Assessors are required to provide training and assessment that is consistent with standards set for the whole of Australia.
 
When will the changes happen?
Most Australian States have now either partly, or fully, implemented the new National Standard. The introduction in South Australia, which includes issuing the new High Risk Work Licences commences in early 2010.

The new National Standard provides a transition period of up to five years, depending on the issue date of a person’s existing Certificate of Competency or ‘ticket.’

New classes of high risk work
With the implementation of the new National Standard, the operation of forklifts and order picking forklifts are now defined as high risk work. Therefore, those who currently have a ticket to operate a forklift will need to apply for the new High Risk Work Licence if they wish to remain qualified to operate this equipment. Forklift operators will then have a nationally recognised licence that shows they are competent in the safe operation of this equipment.  

The new National Standard also defines a new class of high risk work - the operation of a Self Erecting Tower Crane.

What licence classes are covered by the national standard?

Basic scaffolding (SB)
Intermediate scaffolding (SI)  
Advanced scaffolding (SA)
Basic rigging (RB)
Portal boom crane (CP)
Boom-type elevating work platform (WP)
Intermediate rigging (RI)
Bridge and gantry crane (CB)
Personnel and materials hoist (HP)
Advanced rigging (RA)
Vehicle loading crane (CV)
Vehicle-mounted concrete placing boom (PB)
Dogging (DG)
Non-slewing mobile crane (CN)
Slewing mobile crane up to 20T (C2)
Forklift truck (LF)
Order-picking forklift truck (LO)
Slewing mobile crane up to 60T (C6)
Materials hoist (HM)
Self-erecting tower crane (CS)
Slewing mobile crane up to 100T (C1)
Slewing mobile crane over 100T (CO)
Tower crane (CT)
Derrick crane (CD)
Basic boiler operation (BB)
Intermediate boiler operation (BI)
Advanced boiler operation (BA)
Turbine operation (TO)
Reciprocating steam engine operation (ES)

Can I get help?
For more information on High Risk Work licensing you could try the workplace safety in your State or Territory, or you could contact an OHS consultant in our Business Directory to assist.   

Is there any free guidance material I can read on High Risk Work licensing?

Click on the link below for your workplace safety authority.

Australian Capital Territory
www.ors.act.gov.au